We are the active creative principles in our lives. We attract, and are attracted to, situations that can catalyze a deep realization of who we really are. But frequently, we have difficulty seeing the events in our lives —specifically our struggles — for what they are really worth.
The mistake in our understanding— is the belief that the external reality must change before the internal one can. But, the real change required is not whatever problematic situation we are in; it is our plug into it. Why have we created this situation in our life? What is it about us that hooks into it? What’s our attachment? When those questions are identified and remedied, the issue of what to do becomes clearer, and fear loses its sway. When transformation genuinely occurs internally, the external world changes. The former emotional plugs are diffused. What once seemed impossible becomes an opportunity. When decisions are made out of fear or to blame, we may soon find ourselves again in a similar situation.
Life offers a host of distractions that can detour us from understanding the emotions, beliefs, and feelings that drive many of our behaviors — but, we all have access points that lead into the deeper dimensions of who we are. Utilizing them can provoke deep healing, change and self-understanding.
One of my access points is through writing. Writing helps me unpack the events in my life and look at them from a different perspective. But, I also have physical access points. It is my low back that alerts me when I am living out of alignment with myself. My knees tell me to pay attention to my feelings. Breath work guides me to deep emotions that I can’t uproot on my own. Meditation calms my mind down so I don’t get stuck in the levels of thought for to long. All of these access points require my attention to develop and nourish them. Often, the biggest inhibitor to change is simply the lack of creating space for these deeper dives into self.
In Monica Yearwood’s 21-Day Ayurvedic Cleanse you will learn how to find your personal access points through daily meditation and self-inquiry practices. For now, if you are having trouble accessing your inner terrain, try Granthita Mudra. Simply interlace your fingers and bring your hands under a tucked chin. Breathe and hold for 3 minutes.
Affirmation: I choose to create a supportive infrastructure that helps to keep me accountable to my feeling place so that I never get disconnected from my inherent knowing. Sankalpa: The Yogic Art of Setting Intention
Changing our lifestyle habits is hard. While many of us would like to see improvements in our diet, activity levels, personal and professional relationships — we are frequently confronted with patterns that detour us back into familiar and unhealthy behaviors.
In yogic and ayurvedic philosophy, the struggle to move past negative habits is created by repeated karma (action). Any karma (action) that is repeated is internalized in one’s behavioral core and becomes imprinted into the reflexes. These karmic impressions are known as “samskaras.†Samskaras are reactions. They drive many of our unconscious and habitual patterns. Samskaras can be either positive or negative; they are our knee jerk responses — good or bad — to what happens in our life. It’s our negative samskaras that make healthy lifestyle change some of the most difficult work any of us will uncover.
Sankalapa, the yogic art of intention setting can assist with rerouting negative reactions so that our choices are healthier. Sankalpa is a practice that reunites us with our inner being so that we are deeply connected with what we want. It moves beyond a simple desire statement, and it clarifies our ability to perceive our true nature. In time, our choices support who we are, rather then contradict it.
During Monica’s ‘Ayurvedic Immersion Retreat’ we will discuss ‘sankalpa,’ the yogic art of setting an intention; and how sankalpa can assist in the removal of samskaras. We will learn about the ayurvedic morning routine that helps sustain an intention, and how it shifts our reflexive behaviors toward the good. We will end the evening with a powerful sankalpa practice that aligns our behavior with our inner truth.
In our opening lecture at Monica’s ‘Ayurvedic Immersion Retreat’ we will discuss ‘sankalpa,’ the yogic art of setting an intention; and how sankalpa can assist in the removal of unhealthy behavior. We will learn about the ayurvedic morning routine that helps sustain an intention, and how it shifts our reflexive behaviors toward the good. We will end the evening with a powerful sankalpa practice that aligns our behavior with our inner truth.
Often people say that they do not have time to meditate; but, we all have time to eat. Take advantage of this time to tap into how you feel and calm yourself. You can do this quite inconspicuously simply by folding your hands under the table and thinking about how you feel for a moment. Appreciate your food when you eat and notice the colors and the flavors of your food. Agree to stop when you’re full, chew your food well, and pay attention to your belly. These easy to implement practices can have a profound and positive lasting influence on how you perceive your food and diet. Over time you will become more gracious for what you eat and unconscious patterns that surround your diet will lesson.
How to Arrive Brown Line: Exit Addison and head two blocks north, Hamsa is just north of Trader Joe’s on the East side of the street. Interstate 90: Exit Addison and head East, turn North on Lincoln Ave Lake Shore Drive: Exit on Belmont and turn North on Ashland. Turn West on Addison, and North on Lincoln Avenue